State Government

How do state governments work?

Just like the federal government, every state government has three branches. The executive branch enforces state laws and runs the daily operations of state government. The legislative branch makes state laws. Every state also has statewide courts, which hear appeals from local courts and cases where there’s a question about state law or the state constitution.

How to use the Genius Guides

The guides below are useful no matter what state you live in. You'll see additional information for Louisiana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. If your state isn’t there yet, check back often – we’ll be adding more in the future.

Executive branch officials

Governor 

Lieutenant Governor 

Attorney General 

Commissioner of Agriculture 

Commissioner of Insurance 

Commissioner of Labor 

Secretary of State 

State Auditor 

State Treasurer or Comptroller 

Superintendent of Schools 

Public Utilities Commissioners 

State Board of Education Members 

Judges of statewide courts

State Supreme Court Justice 

State Court of Appeals Judge

State legislators

State Senator 

State Representative, Delegate, or Assembly member 

Spotlight on: how state legislatures work